It looks like I may be able to go.
Last time I was down there, visiting family, we stayed at the Sleep Inn at Morganton, right next to the Holiday Inn. Owned by the same folks the Sleep Inn was defintely better than average.

I like the idea of some kind of ribbon, a way to recognize each other from a distance.

I know cell service used to be spotty out that way, anyone have idea how it is currently, especially with VZW.